Animal protectors in Sancti Spíritus, accustomed to witnessing both displays of love and acts of abuse towards pets, were shocked to learn that a man was capable of committing the horrific act of hacking at his dog with a machete and leaving it alive to die.
The ARCA Sancti Spíritus Foundation became aware of the situation on May 20 and immediately, amid power outages, mobilized its members to save the life of this dog, who had found himself in the wrong hands.
"When everyone was asleep, our foundation suffered alongside the medical team that was tirelessly fighting to save Yeiko's life," they emphasized on Facebook, simultaneously denouncing the horrific crime.
"The surgery ended at 1:30 a.m., after efforts to stabilize him, as he arrived in shock and practically unconscious," they stated.
They also noted that the intervention resulted in over 50 stitches, as the dog arrived with head injuries, one eye exposed—which he ultimately lost—and also suffered a fractured jaw.
The next day, Yeiko was bathed, received his prescribed medications, and took a walk. But most importantly, his true owner reappeared.
According to the foundation, she had been searching for her dog for months, which had passed from owner to owner until it became a victim of brutal mistreatment.
"Despite the time that had passed since he last saw his owner, Yeiko – as we learned his name at that moment – reacted in an incredible way," they expressed, while praising those who defend animals even in the current circumstances of scarcity.
Through their Facebook page, the animal protection organization shared the dog’s positive progress, exciting their followers with details such as the moment he stood up with assistance for the first time, and when he urinated after his urgent surgery.
However, last Friday, Yeiko underwent surgery due to the infection in his wounds. "A drain was placed, and part of the tissue will heal by secondary intention," emphasized his guardians. "There are still many days of recovery ahead for this warrior who is fighting for his life with all his strength."
However, the latest images shared by the foundation are what the followers have been eagerly anticipating: Yeiko in the home he never should have left, surrounded by people who, out of affection, are willing to erase his painful memories.
"The wounds are healing, and so is her heart," they emphasized.
This story, while illustrating that there can be people with horrifying feelings, also highlights that there are others who possess a great kindness.
However, there are animals that are currently disappearing in Cuba, affected by the worst economic crisis in decades, and are never found again.
Recently, the animal protector identified on social media as Miriela Ramos López warned that in certain areas of Havana, cats have gone missing, suggesting that they may have been eaten.
"I want to raise an alert; two days ago in Playa, near the La Puntilla shop, there has not been a single cat left, neither stray nor from a family," she emphasized in the Facebook group "Animal Protection Society in Cuba."
However, on the flip side, there are animal protectors in Cuba who have appealed to the public to place containers of water for dogs, cats, and birds to hydrate amid the heatwave affecting the country and keeping temperatures high.
The organization Cubans in Defense of Animals (CEDA) warned on Facebook about the importance of keeping animals hydrated during high temperatures, emphasizing that they need to drink water now more than ever.
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